Toowoomba Diocese’s celebration of Pentecost this year was both a celebration of the birth of the Catholic Church and the rich cultural diversity of the local community.
More than 500 people gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Toowoomba for the Multicultural Mass on Sunday.
The cathedral was filled with many people, including families, who were dressed in clothing representing their heritage. The bright colours, bold patterns, and sparkling fabrics created a joyful and festive atmosphere.
The celebration was the vision of the cathedral’s associate pastor, Fr Brian Redondo, who hoped to bring people together in faith and fellowship.
“No matter where we come from, we belong here,” he wrote in the weekend’s cathedral newsletter. “We are companions on the journey.”
The entrance procession set the tone, with representatives from over a dozen cultural communities proudly walking together, symbolising the unity of the Church.
The Mass beautifully echoed the Pentecost story, where people of many nations heard the Gospel in their own language. In Toowoomba, this was brought to life through the Prayers of the Faithful, spoken in multiple languages, and hymns sung in a rich blend of dialects.
One attendee said, “I was moved hearing prayers and hymns not only in my language but in so many others. Hearing the Our Father prayed together in different languages at the same time was very special.”
Bishop Ken Howell, who presided over the Mass, reflected on the meaning of Pentecost in his homily, “The Holy Spirit is not confined to one place or people. It is the Spirit that unites us in our diversity.”
Bishop Howell thanked all who contributed to the celebration. “This Mass is a beautiful witness to the universal Church alive in our diocese.”
Following the Mass, the celebration continued with a multicultural morning tea in the cathedral grounds with food from around the world prepared and shared by parishioners.
FULL STORY
One Spirit, Many Voices: A Pentecost Celebration of Unity in Diversity (Toowoomba Diocese)
